[Djuna]

I was wondering which one of these qualifications is better to do if I want a job in an Emergency Department.

I have just started working in ED after being a Peds RN for 3 years and I want a qualification that will make me employable.

Any thoughts?

[ukstudent]

Not totaly sure but I think that ACLS is a requirement while TNCC is great to have. Have a wonderful time in the ER.

[bill4745]

At my hospital we get ACLS after we are hired, so it wouldn't help much. On the other hand, most of us are scared of really sick kids, so your peds experience may be very enticing to an ED. By the way, what is TNCC?

[Katnip]

Most EDs will require ACLS and PALS, and sometimes NRP. These courses are usually provided free of charge once your hired, so don't waste the money.

TNCC is not absolutely necessary. It's a nice thing to have once you've got some ED experience behind you, like CEN but I've never seen either certs required.

[traumaRUs]

I worked at a level one trauma center for 10 years and the following were required:

CPR
ACLS
PALS/APLS/ENPC - all peds courses - you had to have at least one
TNCC or TNS - both trauma certs - you had to have one
CEN - nice to have

[neneRN]

Need to have ACLS within 6 months of hire, and TNCC within one year of hire in ER where I work. Take them both; even if the TNCC isn't required where you are, it's an excellent assessment course for any trauma pt.

[TazziRN]

Both are required in my ER. They're similar but different, different enough that many places require both.

Bill, TNCC is Trauma Nurse Core Course.

[JBudd]

My hospital does the whole list:

BLS for Health Care Providers (AHA)
ACLS
ENPC or PALS
TNCC

My personal opinion, taking TNCC will give you a good review of head to toe assessment and doing it rapidly. Use that one more than the ACLS most of the time.

Welcome to world of ER!

[level1_traumaRN]

I work at a level 1 trauma center and all of the following are required:
BLS
ACLS
PALS/ENPC
TNCC

I do think TNCC and ACLS are totally different classes and both are great to have. ACLS focuses on the life threating part of (codes for example) while TNCC focuses more on what to do in a trauma :-)